Ports Authority clarifies that all federal allocations to airports that generate revenue must be invested in that facility

By THE STAR STAFF

Every airport in the United States, including Mercedita International Airport in the municipality of Ponce, that receives federal funds and generates revenue as a result of those allocations, must reinvest the funds to cover operational costs, structural improvements, and maintenance at that facility.

That fact of regulation was confirmed by Puerto Rico Ports Authority Executive Director Norberto Negrón earlier this week.

“Every airport under the administration of the Ports Authority that receives a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is required, by federal regulation, to use the revenue generated by these allocations exclusively for improvements, maintenance, and operation of that facility,” the official said in a press release on Wednesday. “No, I repeat, they cannot be used for any other purpose.”

According to Title 49, sections 47107 (b) and 47133 of the United States Code, all income generated by federal grants, whether through the FAA or another entity such as the Department of Defense, can only be used for the operation and maintenance of the airport, capital improvements and noise mitigation measures within the premises, among other things.

It is not permitted to use the income for general expenses, economic development unrelated to aviation at the airport, public projects unrelated to the facility, among others.

On Tuesday, Rep. Angel Fourquet Cordero filed House Joint Resolution 263, which orders the Ports Authority to use the income received as a result of the recent lease agreement formalized with the United States government, through its military components, for the use of areas or facilities at Mercedita, for maintenance needs at that airport, among other things.

“We recognize Representative Fourquet’s intention to support the efforts being made by Governor Jenniffer González’s administration, in conjunction with the Ports Authority, to improve the infrastructure at Ponce’s Mercedita Airport; however, federal regulations are extremely clear on these matters,” Negrón added.